Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 3-5

Study No.6                  Passage: Job 3:1-10        

Title: Job (1) – Job bemoans being born

A. Find Out

1. What did Job curse? v.1

2. What in history does he wish was destroyed? v.2,3

3. What does he wish happened to it? v.4-6

4. What does he wish had happened on that night? v.7

5. Who does he want to come and help to do what? v.8,9

6. But what didn't happen? v.10

B. Think:

1. How would you summarise Job's desire in these verses?

2. Why do you think he feels that?

C. Comment:

My paraphrase of verses 3 to 10 would be as follows: “If only the day when I was born and they said, “It's a boy!” could be blotted out from history (v.3), if only it disappeared and be hidden from even God's sight (v.4), if only it entirely disappeared (v.5), that night when I was born, if only it could be wiped off the calendar (v.6), if only the record of the shout of joy of that night could be wiped clean away (v.7), if only the soothsayers who curse, would curse that day, even those who seek to bring mystical beasts to destroy their enemies, would use them to wipe out this day! (v.8). If you look back on it, if only the night would go black and daylight never come to that day (v.9), for it didn't stop me being born into a life of trouble (v.10). None of these things happened, so I was born!”

As Job starts his first discourse, we see it laid out in poetic form and therefore it comes with much poetic language. The long and short of it is, I wish I'd never been born! He is in so much anguish that he wishes he'd never even had a human experience. He wishes the day of his birth could be removed from history, that it disappeared in darkness, that the soothsayers could remove it by a curse so it never ever happened. In all this we slowly start to catch something of the anguish that Job is suffering. Before the arguing about why this has happened, we must face the anguish that he feels.

D. Application:

1. Can we feel with those who anguish?

2. Can we understand their revulsion of life itself?

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 3-5

Study No.7                 Passage:  Job 3:11-26       

Title: Job (1) - Job bemoans living

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 3-5

Study No.                 Passage: Job 3:1-26        

Title:   Synopsis of Job's First Speech

Anguish for having been born

“If only the day when I was born and they said, “It's a boy!” could be blotted out from history (v.3), if only it disappeared and be hidden from even God's sight (v.4), if only it entirely disappeared (v.5), that night when I was born, if only it could be wiped off the calendar (v.6), if only the record of the shout of joy of that night could be wiped clean away (v.7), if only the soothsayers who curse, would curse that day, even those who seek to bring mystical beasts to destroy their enemies, would use them to wipe out this day! (v.8). If you look back on it, if only the night would go black and daylight never come to that day (v.9), for it didn't stop me being born into a life of trouble (v.10). None of these things happened, so I was born!” i.e. I wish I'd never been born!

Anguish over having been allowed to live

“Why did I not die at birth ? (v.11), why did the midwife and my mother bother with me? (v.12) because if they had left me to die, I would be at rest, free from trouble (v.13), just like those great people of the earth who are now nothing (v.14), those who accumulated much for nothing.” (v.15). “Why couldn't I have been stillborn and just buried?” (v.16). The easier path of death: in death we're all just the same (v.17), and slaves are freed from their labour (v.18), we're are all the same, and the slave is no longer controlled by his master (v.19). If only he had died at birth he would have avoided all the present pain.

Anguish over being preserved

Why am I being preserved now ? Why are we allowed to live on in misery and remain aware? Why is ongoing life given to us so we have to continue in anguish (v.20), when we'd rather be dead (v.21,22)? So why is ongoing life given (v.23) because this life is full of sighs and groans (v.24), and the worst nightmares have happened (v.25), and peace has left and only turmoil remains (v.26).

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 3-5

Study No.8                  Passage: Job 4:1-11         

Title: Eliphaz (1) – Pull yourself together!

A. Find Out

1. What does Eliphaz ask to start his discourse? v.2

2. Of what does he remind Job he has done in the past? v.3,4

3. What does he say ought to be happening? v.5,6

4. What does he ask about the innocent and upright? v.7

5. Who is it, he says, are destroyed? v.8,9

6. Where also is this seen? v.10,11

B. Think:

1. What is he saying in verses 3 to 6?

2. What theological point is he making in verses 7 to 9?

C. Comment:

  Eliphaz is the first of the three friends to speak out in answer to Job (v.1), and challenges Job not to be impatient with him (v.2a) for he's just got to speak (v.2b). Look Job, you've been on the other side of the fence, he starts, having instructed, strengthened and supported others (v.3,4) but it seems now you're allowing yourself to be pulled down (v.5). Shouldn't all of your experience bring you confidence? (v.6)

  Then he moves in to the argument proper, implying certain things about Job. Look, he goes on, the innocent or upright never perish (v.7), it's only the wicked who get trouble and are destroyed (v.8,9). You can appear as strong as a lion (v.10,11 implied) but even they suffer in their wild lifestyle.

In the first part (v.3-6) we find Eliphaz basically saying, pull yourself together, you should know better, think what you've taught others in the past. The trouble is that sometimes our past knowledge gets overshadowed by the awfulness of the present and we too need others to come and encourage us in our anguish.

In the second part (v.7-11) he seeks to make the theological point that bad only comes to sinners. The only problem with that argument is that we know from what gone before that Job isn't unrighteous. Living in a Fallen World we sometimes suffer from the works of the enemy. It isn't necessarily our sin!

D. Application:

1. Learn to understand the plight of the suffering.

2. Be careful not to wrongly judge others.

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 3-5

Study No.9                  Passage: Job 4:12-22         

Title: Eliphaz (1) – I have special revelation

A. Find Out

1. What does Eliphaz claimed happened? v.12

2. How did it happen? v.13,14

3. What did he claim he saw? v.15,16

4. What teaching did he claim he received? v.17

5. What conclusion did he draw about mankind? v.18,19

6. What is their end? v.20,21

B. Think:

1. Why does Eliphaz put himself forward as a spiritual counsellor?

2. What were the characteristics of that?

3. Do you know what the Bible teaches about such things?

C. Comment:

Eliphaz has previously made the point that only the wicked get punished. Now he goes on to maintain that God doesn't trust or enter into close relationships (implied) with mankind and, further implied, Job is wrong to suggest he has something special going with God. Actually so far, all Job has spoken of is his deep anguish in pain.

Eliphaz bases this on a special word that was brought to him (v.12) in the middle of the night (v.13) that brought him fear (v.14). He actually saw a ghostly type creature float past him (v.15) and it spoke to him (v.16). This ‘thing' challenged whether mankind can compete with God for righteousness (v.17). God, after all, says the ‘thing' doesn't esteem angels who can fall and get it wrong (v.18) so why should he esteem mankind who are but dust (v.19) and who die so easily (v.20,21).

The challenge must come, is this a genuine revelation? The apostle John wrote, “ test the spirits to see whether they are from God, (1 Jn 4:1). This ‘revelation' came to a disquieted mind (v.13a) and brought a feeling of dread (v.14) which was different from ‘the fear of the Lord'. This was a scary experience (v.15), different from when angels appear in Scripture with God's word. And the word itself? Does any man claim what it says in verse 17? No! Everything about this word is a put-down whereas in fact we know God loves mankind (Jn 3:16 ) Reject this!

D. Application:

1. Don't accept everything you experience. Check it with God.

2. Check what you hear against the overall teaching of the Bible.

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 3-5

Study No.10                  Passage: Job 5:1-7       

Title: Eliphaz (1) – A life of trouble

A. Find Out:

1. What does Eliphaz now ask Job? v.1

2. What does he warn against? v.2

3. What does he say he saw happening? v.3

4. What happened to that man's children? v.4

5. What happened to his crops? v.5

6. Where do hardship and trouble not spring from? v.6

7. What does he conclude about human life? v.7

B. Think:

1. What is Eliphaz saying in verses 3 to 5?

2. What does he suggest is the cause of all that?

C. Comment:

  Eliphaz has just spoken about frail humanity that so easily is taken away and when that happens, he concludes, who will you call to? (v.1). Whether verse 2 to is a warning against becoming resentful and envious of others in your suffering or is a suggestion that it is what causes the suffering is not clear. Eliphaz justifies his position by telling what he has seen – a fool apparently at ease but then suddenly his house cursed (v.3) so that his children are left defenceless (v.4) and others come in and steal his harvest (v.5) Look, he says, trouble doesn't just grow out of the ground (v.6), it is natural to human life (v.7). The implication is that the sinfulness of mankind brings trouble and, even more, surely he must subtly be pointing at Job himself.

  We find here a half truth. Sin does breed trouble; that is certainly true, but unlike Eliphaz's assertion, we are not alone. We know that we have one who is there for us: “if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” (1 Jn 2:1b) The truth, the New Testament reveals to us, is that God is for us (Rom 8:31 ) and Jesus is for us. God works in a variety of ways on our behalf (Rom 8:28) so sometimes he delivers us from difficulties and sometimes He delivers us in the difficulties – but He IS there working on our behalf because He loves us!

D. Application:

1. We are not alone in this Fallen World. God works for our good.

2. Sin and Satan may seek our destruction, but God brings our salvation.

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 3-5

Study No.11                  Passage: Job 5:8-16       

Title: Eliphaz (1) – Call on God

A. Find Out:

1. What does Eliphaz say he would do in Job's position? v.8

2. How does he say God reveals His power? v.9

3. How does he say God's power changes nature? v.10

4. What does he say God does for the lowly and those who mourn? v.11

5. What does he say God does with the ‘crafty'? v.12-14

6. What does he say God does for the needy and the poor? v.15,16

B. Think:

1. What do you think Eliphaz implies in v.8?

2. What grounds does Eliphaz give for seeking God in v.9,10?

3. What grounds does he give in verses 11-16?

C. Comment:

Eliphaz has just said that mankind is born for trouble (v.7) and has, in the previous verses, implied that Job is suffering at God's hand. It is also fairly obvious that so far Job is just bemoaning his calamity and making no further comment. Eliphaz now suggests that if it were him he would appeal to God (v.8) because, he goes on, God is great and all powerful and a wonderful provider (v.9,10) – God's goodness can be trusted. There is perhaps a subtle suggestion that Job should stop just bemoaning his state and should do something about it! Talk to God about it!

But then he speaks about God who deals with people: He cares for the lowly and those who mourn (v.11) but is not fooled by the crafty (v.12) who He deals with. If you are lowly Job He will lift you but if you play crafty with Him, He will deal with you, is perhaps the subtle suggestion here. He will deal with those who are not straight forward with Him, so you'd better be upfront with God now Job. (v.13,14). Yes, He does look after the needy and the poor (v.15,16). Is this an implication that because He doesn't appear to be looking after you Job, you aren't the poor and needy and this is judgment on your affluence? There is truth in all of these statements but it isn't how God always works or only works.

D. Application:

1. Be careful against laying down propositions about God in stone!

2. God's ways of working are far bigger than our understanding.

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 3-5

Study No.12                  Passage: Job 5:17-27     

Title: Eliphaz (1) – He will Restore

A. Find Out:

1. What subject does Eliphaz now move on to? v.17,18

2. How does he portray the Lord? v.19,20

3. How therefore can we feel about problems of life? v.21,22

4. How can we feel about living generally? v.23,24

5. How can we feel about the future? v.25,26

6. What does he maintain as a conclusion? v.27

B. Think:

1. What do these verses teach about God's discipline?

2. What do they teach about our place in life?

3. What do they teach about our feelings about the future?

C. Comment:

There is much truth here – but it doesn't apply to Job! God does discipline (v.17) and in so doing He may wound, but He will also heal up (v.18). Yes, the Lord does come and rescue His children (v.19) and will save us from famine or sword (v.20). Indeed He does protect us from those who would speak against us (v.21) and so we can laugh at the calamities that would come against us from this Fallen World (v.22). Even more, although the stones of the field usually hinder our crop growing and wild animals destroy our produce, with God's blessing on us (implied) these things are brought to a place of peace with us (v.23) and so you will be secure in your home and food production (v.24). The net result of this will be that you will know that the future is assured for your children (v.25) and when death finally comes you will be strong to the end (v.26). This, he concludes, I am sure about. (v.27)

Now we have to say that all of these things that Eliphaz declares in these verses are attested to elsewhere in the Scriptures. These are general truths for the child of God, yet because we live in a Fallen World, things do go wrong for we have an adversary and he has many agents (often people) who will come against us. It isn't always quite as clear cut as Eliphaz would like to make out and, of course, we know that Job's circumstances are because of exceptions to the rule!

D. Application:

1. God is good and we can feel secure in His love.

2. Even when things go wrong, He will be there for us.

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 3-5

Study No.                  Passage: Job 4:1-5:27     

Title:    Synopsis of Eliphaz's first speech

Job 4:1-21

Eliphaz challenges Job not to be impatient with him (v.2a) for he's just got to speak (v.2b). Look Job, you've been on the other side of the fence, having instructed, strengthened and supported others (v.3,4) but it seems now you're allowing yourself to be pulled down (v.5). Shouldn't all of your experience bring you confidence? (v.6) Look, he goes on, the innocent or upright never perish (v.7), it's only the wicked who get trouble and are destroyed (v.8,9). You can appear as strong as a lion (v.10,11 implied) but even they suffer in their wild lifestyle.

Eliphaz bases this on a special word that was brought to him (v.12) in the middle of the night (v.13) that brought him fear (v.14). He actually saw a ghostly type creature float past him (v.15) and it spoke to him (v.16). This ‘thing' challenged whether mankind can compete with God for righteousness (v.17). God, after all, says the ‘thing' doesn't esteem angels who can fall and get it wrong (v.18) so why should he esteem mankind who are but dust (v.19) and who die so easily (v.20,21).

Job 5:1-27

Who will you call to (v.1)? Beware, in your suffering, of becoming resentful and envious of others (v.2). I've seen a fool apparently at ease but then suddenly his house cursed (v.3) so that his children are left defenceless (v.4) and others come in and steal his harvest (v.5). Trouble doesn't just grow out of the ground (v.6), it is natural to human life (v.7). If it were him he would appeal to God (v.8) because God is great and all powerful and a wonderful provider (v.9,10). God cares for the lowly and those who mourn (v.11) but is not fooled by the crafty (v.12) who He deals with. You'd better be upfront with God now Job. (v.13,14). Yes, He does look after the needy and the poor (v.15,16).

God does discipline (v.17) and in so doing He may wound, but He will also heal up (v.18). The Lord does come and rescue His children (v.19) and will save us from famine or sword (v.20). He will protect us from those who would speak against us (v.21) and so we can laugh at the calamities that would come against us from this Fallen World (v.22). Even more, although the stones of the field usually hinder our crop growing and wild animals destroy our produce, with God's blessing on us (implied) these things are brought to a place of peace with us (v.23) and so you will be secure in your home and food production (v.24). The net result of this will be that you will know that the future is assured for your children (v.25) and when death finally comes you will be strong to the end (v.26). This, he concludes, I am sure about. (v.27)

Book: The Anguish of Job (Job, chapters 1-14)

Series 1 of 3 in Job: Part 2 of 5: Chapters 3-5      

Title: RECAP 2: Job & Eliphaz- Ch. 3-5

SUMMARY :  

In this second group of 7 studies we have seen:

a) Job

- lamenting the very day of his birth

- wondering why God preserves life when it is bad

b) Eliphaz

- telling him to remember his own words of comfort

- declaring it is the wicked who suffer

- claiming special revelation of man's insignificance

- declaring life in this fallen world is troublesome

- suggesting Job calls on God who can be trusted

- speaking about God's discipline which always restores

- speaking of the security that we can know.

COMMENT:

In chapter 3 we catch a glimpse of the anguish that Job feels as he wishes he had never been born. It is important to understand the anguish of those who suffer. Chapters 4 & 5 have Eliphaz exhorting him to remember his past counsel, reminding that it is the wicked who suffer, claiming special revelation that man is insignificant and born to trouble, so says call on God because although He disciplines He always restores and we can feel secure as His children.

LESSONS?

1. Learn to understand the anguish of the suffering.

2. The wicked so often do bring suffering on themselves.

3. Yet in a Fallen World it can come on all.

4. God may discipline us but He aims to restore us to Himself.

5. We can feel secure in His love, despite difficulties.

PRAY:

Thank the Lord that as His child you are in His hands and can feel secure in an insecure world.

PART 3: "Job & Bildad"

In this next Part we will see Job in despair, saying my friends are no help, life is hard, I will speak out, but why does this happen? Bildad speaks in defence of God and says consider the ungodly.